Blasphemous Lore | Our Lady of the Charred Visage

[@connorbarclay6525]

Another interesting fact: when the nuns are killed, they cover their faces after their masks break. This is because they refuse to let anyone gaze upon their burned visages. Even when seconds from death, they still uphold their beliefs.

[@yay842]

Incredible catch and analysis. Wow.

[@NotsoseriousNick]

There's something deeply ironic about the lady disfiguring herself so that people wouldn't mistake her for some deity and yet people still venerate her as a saint right after. Also, may there be a chance that Àurea is supposed to be a reference to the latin word for Gold, therefore explaining the golden masks?

[@andrey22]

Aureo means golden in spanish.

[@valeforedark]

You missed the point she burnt herself to gift her beauty to the gods. She got made a saint due to her sacrifice and suffering .

[@andrey22]

@@valeforedark I was answering the second part of the comment. It's not a "maybe", it's as subtle as a brick to the face although it's a very old fashioned name. A girl is born and is called "golden", she has a beauty that rivals the high heavens; she offers her beauty to the divinity out of her own free will and dons on a golden mask to hide her burn scars than never heal, even after her death. The grievous miracle plays the long con.

[@aphidamas1]

Why does she bleed gold in the death animation?

[@silentd9078]

@@aphidamas1 That's just the gold melting from the heat.

[@MagicalManFromMars]

I found it quite interesting that her lore description mentions God, since very few, if any other things or people in the game make reference to such a concept, with most of them focusing on the High Wills or The Miracle.

[@kelnhide]

Her lore probably was the very first few that was written for the game before the devs came up with the High Wills and the Miracle

[@Trikipum]

Because the developers though everyone is smart enough to understand that there is a god that is a diferent thing than the miracle. That is why the penitent exists in first place. He does what he does because he is a follower of the "real thing". The rest are corruped and have created a new "branch", very twisted one, of the religion.

[@moniker2804]

​@Trikipum ok but she offered her beauty to God and then started guarding stuff for the miracle? Seems simpler to assume 'God' is referring to the miracle here. Especially if it was written early in development.

[@andrewdavis9738]

The Miracle’s “betrayal” of the Lady is pretty jarring. If we assume a Dante-esque ironic punishment, the suggestion of the melting gold may be that when she burned herself, she may have simply given up her pride in her beauty for pride in her piety.

[@Battleschnodder]

I don't think we should be assuming any connection of 'punishment' to what we think may be the 'sin'. I don't think the Miracle looks at what you've done and concocts a punishment, it's not that personal. Rather, what we perceive as 'punishment' is penitance connected to the guilt of the sufferer, an implicitely deliberate choice of self-flagilation as first shown by the twisted one, the first father. To assume that this is a punishment for piety is to assume her sin, and that is to assume that the miracle works in predictable and rule-dependent ways. But it doesn't. It's fully omnipotent, it is not bound by rules or rulings, which is why we never are told what someone is penitent for. We hear why people punish people, but never why the Miracle bestows someone with suffering - except for: "They wanted it.". For a truly omnipotent, and truly unbound being, every choice is one of radical sponteneity, radical liberty of will. The miracle can find anything sinful as it wishes, for it defines good and evil, and it defines sin, and there is nothing to suggest that it cannot do so at a whim.

[@IxodesPersulcatus]

So the Miracle be like: "Yo dawg, I heard you like misery, so I put misery in your misery so that you can be even more miserable while you're busy being miserable."

[@verager2493]

This is a game based heavily on the flagellants. Basically, people who thought the plague was God's punishment, and responded by whipping themselves, punishing themselves, to show that they were sorry and hopefully to convince God to let off. So in this game, assumption of guilt (whether or not it is justified) and seeking out or performing the punishments yourself for whatever "flaws" you have is holy. It's a kind of "original sin" sort of idea where everyone is assumed to be irrevocably flawed, and only those who both realize this and hate themselves for it enough to undergo brutal torment at their own hands can please this deity, which is holy and "loves" us as much as it hates our flaws. So the Lady was not betrayed, but fulfilled. This is unironically viewed as a reward (and punishment. A reward of punishment) in the game's lore. I assume you already got this impression, but the world they live in is not a pleasant one.

[@dannguyen7800]

This whole comment section is amazing

[@andrewdavis9738]

Battleschnodder I agree with all of this; I should rephrase my statement: The symbolic language of molten gold that burns but never cools conveys that someone’s soul has been corrupted by wealth or finery (see Crassus, Viserys, etc.). That’s the conclusion that would naturally be drawn, even within Custodia. The truth of the Lady’s motives are unknown, the Miracle’s (as you point out) even more so.

[@BeyondDaX]

Blasphemous lore is quite fascinating indeed

[@CBRN-115]

A twisted version of Christianity + Dark Souls-esqe theme = Wonderful

[@justanenglishcommentpassin644]

@@CBRN-115 ㄹㅇ 후속작 나왔으면 하네요 갠적으로 드물게 진짜 흥미롭게 한 게임

[@pubbahubbabba]

Its based on our holy week in spain

[@pubbahubbabba]

@Fernandez Martinez No idea what that has to do with my comment, but ok.

[@DotyFuzz]

I really liked blasphemous and I appreciate deeply this content

[@SmoughTown]

I appreciate your support :)

[@christianjohnson2275]

Why don’t you upload anymore doty :(

[@christianjohnson2275]

I used to watch you all the time

[@DotyFuzz]

@@christianjohnson2275 just been busy lately..but it's not over yet, I'm coming back soon

[@Epyx78]

Hitting it out of the park w/ these Blasphemous breakdowns. I found the windy cliffs to be particularly treacherous, so very appropriate they would serve as a proving ground.

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks friend! Me too, felt very treacherous on my first playthrough.

[@seanmcdonald1111]

This church has probably my second favorite music, right behind the desecrated cistern music.

[@exxon101]

Others have mentioned part of this, but Aurea means "gold" in Spanish. I have a theory that, as Aurea's fame grew, she was canonized not in her original humanity, but given a new name to reflect the Miracle's work, "Golden one." Her original name was lost to time. Just a hunch.

[@halguy5745]

the story from the game is scary, by the fact that a real life nun had to disfigure herself for life, just to stop constant sexual assaults is horrifying

[@thestic6349]

For the sake of accuracy, the harassment wasn't sexual assault (at least, it hadn't reached that point before Maria disfigured herself), it was aggressive stalking and an attempted kidnapping from the king (known as Pedro the Cruel or Pedro the Despicable) who had just beheaded both her father and her husband for their supporting the king's half-brother's claim to the crown.

[@thevagrantone]

Recently bought this gsme for the art style and Metroidvania playstyle. I had no idea how deep the story goes and how narrating that story in game would be. Numerous religious archetypes here which I absolutely love to dive in to. Superb game and you do a fine job covering the depths of this games lore.

[@aphidamas1]

Our James Woods of the Charred Visage Just try to un-see it.

[@invincibleunderthesun8545]

I knew this bitch looked familiar

[@OBZeta]

I never bother commenting on KZbin usually but I have to say I really really enjoy this series. A fantastic game, brilliant discussion and information for you and I hope for more as I want all of the info I can get on this one

[@SmoughTown]

Thank you so much, friend! Means a lot to me. I've already begun the script for the next one :)

[@pubbahubbabba]

Did you know its based on our holy week in spain? Now you know

[@95keat]

You know, I wonder what the miracle was doing before he turned that dude into to a tree. Was he all happy and nice but then that happen and everyone started praying for punishment to get noticed and he thought "well I guess they want pain from now on"

[@NothingYouHaventReadBefore]

As funny as this comment is, I honestly think the Miracle didn't exist before the prayer. There's a theory that states that spirits, gods et cetera only exist because our belief manifests them. So in this case, there was never a Miracle, until the Father prayed for it. This causes the Miracle to exist.

[@XenonPrimeSBSV]

IIRC the people of Custodia were already messed up when it comes to punishment and suffering, the Twisted One was just the first miracle of suffering. This is all what they've been asking for, generation on generation.

[@SilentSpeak]

So I start playing this game and get curious about the lore. I go to look for it on KZbin and who do I find covering this wonderful game?!?! One of my favourite souls lore experts! Couldn't be more excited to watch all of your videos on this bus! Your Miracle video was just the chefs kiss!

[@Tenchinu]

amazing indebted into the lore, as usual. Wanna see what you dig about the the other bosses, cause they’re all freakishly interesting

[@dannguyen7800]

This game has such great lore and your works is a godsend man. Please keep this up

[@therougestalker]

You can tell the love put in this game. And these videos :D

[@Alberich_Prince_of_Dwarves]

Blasphemous is super interesting to me because it makes me think of "oldschool" religious people (which it obviously is inspired by) and a mindset that I could never understand as a non-religious person. Great video, keep it up.

[@pubbahubbabba]

Its inspired on our holy week in spain

[@Soundwave04]

Is that gold seeping from the wounds when you kill the lady? I think I saw some concept art of her where her full body was present, but shrouded in shadow. Guess they decided to go with the floating head at some point. (Could be wrong, mind you, or I'm looking at it wrongly!)

[@Randonsummers]

Good stuff, please delve more into this!~

[@SmoughTown]

100% :)

[@matteoezrasmith]

Awesome work! I really enjoy your look into the Lore of Blasphemous. It's really captivated my imagination as well and I'm glad to see someone equally as enamored create content like this. Keep up the awesome effort. It's really appreciated.

[@isaiahhails3684]

Thanks again for making these videos

[@SeggyL]

❤️ keep it up please. Loving these

[@SmoughTown]

Gonna keep it going :) Already working on the next script

[@ImusakHctividar]

Yoooo just finished watching all of your lore videos on Blasphemous (Including the newest ones). Great stuff! There were lots of things I didn't even think of. I had a lot of dots but I could never connect them.

[@rivander8769]

every boss has such interesting lore, cool vid thanks

[@pubbahubbabba]

For anyone wanting to know about the inspiration for this game google semana santa of spain.

[@akokkinakes]

A small interesting piece of trivia. Aurea is pronounced like "ωραία" which is greek for "beautiful woman".

[@submissivehunter1234]

Anyone know the details behind the nuns in red robes who spew fire? Those are the most bizzare enemies aside from the gaurdianinfante

[@mightilyoats2729]

I had a deep aversion to the lore of this game, and I think it has to do with all the heavy, Spanish Catholicism. I'm not a religious person, and I find all of this horrific, but there was a point in our genuine, human history where things like this, without actually having a supernatural bent, were part and parcel of daily life, and true fealty to their chosen religion.

[@eschaton8758]

so all points of history

[@Steve-yn3cs]

Yeah. Unlike the Blasphemous Universe where there's actually a Divine presence, similar events happened in our human history, but without any Divine presence whatsoever. It's such a shame we took a lot of things pretty seriously back then.

[@runswithbears3517]

What is the link between Engracia's story about the olive trees (it directly references olive trees whithering) and the place in-game called "Where Olive Trees Whither"? Perhaps there is a link between that place and the cause of Engracia's sorrow?

[@NotsoseriousNick]

I'm fairly sure that used to be the place were Engracia lived. Hence the dead olive trees. Also, I'm fairly sure her dead body is accessible after finishing a subquest.

[@NothingYouHaventReadBefore]

Less important, but the fact that the saint is weeping near an olive tree als carries heavy Christian symbolical value. Jesus was in an oliveyard when he was betrayed by Judas. I think this might not be relevant to the lore, but it does seem like an interesting point.

[@duckhuntdynasty6562]

I would love a sequel. I adored this game.

[@AlexanderJoneshttps]

This video is amazingly done good job bro ! :^D

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks as always brother

[@AlexanderJoneshttps]

@@SmoughTown No problem bro :D

[@acgearsandarms1343]

So does the Miracle only extend its power on those in Custodia or all the lands beyond it? I read from lore that other places are not as barbaric(I’m assuming punishing) as Custodia. So do they not practice the beliefs of the Miracle if it does not reach to their lands?

[@mirandatello3945]

It’s not clear if the miracle extends beyond Custodia, but the other lands certainly do not follow the same beliefs present in the game, or at least do not practice them in the extreme.

[@fatbatman1030]

I cant get enought of these!

[@Battleschnodder]

I'm fucking HERE for it

[@TheVojvoda]

I think the boss is like tres anguistas, who are the miracle powered incarnate of the pain of the one npc thats 3 women merged together

[@Ammothief41]

Gameplay was okay but damn the story and lore! Amazing

[@bernardkoey4087]

Can u pla make a video on exposito the crying baby

[@umukzusgelos4834]

Blashphemous, the game of the masochists

[@invincibleunderthesun8545]

Game of masochists for masochists

[@chuckieariola7406]

We would like to hear some lore within this game it is fascinating

[@swordguy1243]

Very interesting Nuns have strange lives

[@cidfacetious3722]

Got to love Dark Souls

[@Dusteus]

Strangely that when I confront her, she only had head and both hand. It looks like she've been decapitated or something. How it end up like that?

[@DanielRamirez-ml6fs]

The worst part of this video for me was finding out about the Art of Blasphemous book which I will probably never find available. Hot damn. Bucket List item added, if anyone knows where I can get my hands on one HMU!

[@SpokesK]

When Our Lady of the Charred Visage dies, do you notice how her face begins bleeding gold?

[@fellipeexe]

Please, make a video about exposito

[@Cros.crypt25]

Love the lore of this game but also how they i put real actual saints and nuns and ppl from Spain

[@МарияК-с4е]

The only video on KZbin that shows you how to deal with that fcking orange balls. Thank you so much!!!

[@AmrAlchalati]

I like this game stories!

[@Atary77]

My biggest takeaway from this games lore and it's world is that the God of this world, the Miracle, only created life so that said life could suffer eternal penance by its will. But this to me isn't a god that should br worshipped or appeased. This sounds like a god that should be overthrown or dystroyed. For the world does not need a god that only wants all life to suffer in agony even after death. Maybe in a sequel we could play a scenario where we could commit the blasphemy of taking down this god. The will of the miracle is something we no longer accept or adhere to. I thi k that would be great.

[@navilluscire2567]

Except that would be missing the whole point of the idea of Penance and why Miracle acts. Every single person touched by the Grievous Miracle's painful afflictions ASKED for it, they wanted to be punished for their preserved guilt. Even those that asked for the Miracle to act on their behalf KNEW the pontential means for its intervention but they still asked for it anyway. The Miracle blesses and punishes as it sees fit, and it sees to it that all or atleast many that ask for its intervention will receive it in a manner it deems so which none may rightly claim to fully understand the Sorrowful Miracle's intentions. It's not evil in that it goes out of its way to make people suffer but gives those that WANT to feel horrible physical pain as a means of taming the guilt that pierces their very souls a means to do so. It grants the wishes of those that desire something in its own way and at its own chosen hour, none can fathom the Miracle's designs because Penance never ends, only changes form. Bur seriously the whole point of Blasphemous is a delve into a twisted version of Catholic or Christian history and theology (theologies? different spiritual concepts with common roots), which is interesting as a concept.

[@dumbasskong6561]

I have a feeling you might enjoy the latest DLC Wounds of Eventide then 😉

[@thatasianguy1768]

Resubscribed didn't know there is a new video.

[@josephblattert6311]

So how did she turn into a huge fucking floating monster?

[@blobbything2986]

Blobby Thing has entered the chat

[@jahmair862]

Blobby Thing My dryness has left the chat

[@Mord12gp]

It feels like you could call the marical "god' and that the god of this world is a cruel one who likes to watch people surffer

[@XenonPrimeSBSV]

Weirdly the Miracle doesn't ever seem to do something that is not asked of it, it's manifestations are cruel but then the people of Custodia are always begging to be punished for their guilt. The monsters of the ash are all those who sought to claim the throne atop it, without seeking what the Miracle truly wanted, someone to seek punishment for the sins of others, not just their own selfish guilt. A cruel manifestation once again, but desired someone selfless, perhaps someone who could bring the people of Custodia to a place where they could stop their obsession with being punished to ease their guilt.

[@ositogotico]

"Orrea" XD los hispanohablantes entenderán

[@omiorahman6283]

cool game

[@aappaapp6627]

To be honest I thought all the common enemies in the convention were dudes with red beards... 😅🙃

[@valeforedark]

Link to the real world. Mary the mother of a fictitious god baby. ..

[@aWinterBlood]

Cheild

[@Gabronthe]

By know we all know the miracle is all BS, but it seems like ointment that soothes their pain is one of the few blessings we seem from the miracle. Perhaps caused by punishing herself of her own free will.

[@ZaKRo-bx7lp]

Gosh, if models were the same these days...

[@Animericashow1]

It is absolutely unacceptable for the game designers to steal away the explanation of what this boss is *in the art book* and nowhere in the game itself. It's not reasonable to expect a player to go seek out that resource to understand one of the three most important bosses in the game. I also shouldn't have to watch a KZbin video about it. The game itself should suffice. They're clearly taking those cues from Dark Souls, where none of the central figures are given a single direct word of reference... oh wait.

[@UnholyWrath3277]

Should do some more demon souls lore when you get a chance. You'd do the story the justice it deserves

[@aWinterBlood]

What accent is that? I can't recognize it..

[@tomthestone1470]

No offence, but please could you try to be further away from the mic, I can hear your breaths.

[@SmoughTown]

I hold my breath next time for you

[@tomthestone1470]

SmoughTown Thanks!

[@brosephnoonan223]

dab dab time for sad

[@SinclairLore]

First!

[@fluffybbpeachhun6768]

I would like to burn too my face I bit I can't. I am the by the black I like the real story

[@The_Revolutionist]

666 likes... lol!

[@The_Revolutionist]

NOOOOON!!! Who on Earth put that last like???

[@The_Revolutionist]

Please withdraw.

[@blumiu2426]

Whatever this Miracle is, it needs to be destroyed. My goodness, is it twisted and Satanic. Blessing answered, but in the worst way possible and suffering/penance never ends. Cynobites must go there on vacation.

[@StinkyPoopyMcFartFace]

I think the Miracle is actually a really cool take on real world religions. It captures the whole "old religion" vibes really well, like most religions way back were based on fear and people would do a lot of weird things to please their god.

[@blumiu2426]

@@StinkyPoopyMcFartFace You're talking about religions steeped in paganism and when people were superstitious because weren't able to learn (Medieval Europe, mired in paganism, which this is based on) and read themselves. Fairly certain Buddhism and non-Catholicism during dark ages were far from fear-mongering or sacrificial in nature. That's an awfully broad brush until studying each actually.

[@StinkyPoopyMcFartFace]

BluMiu I'm not too knowledgeable on a lot of religions like Buddhism or other eastern religions, so yeah I was mainly talking about old Catholicism.

[@_Cloun]

BluMiu you do realize this is actually based on medieval Spanish Christianity and Catholicism right? Like that’s actually stated by the developers. Not anything pagan based, in fact there doesn’t really seem to be much pagan influence in here. This is all Christian iconography and concepts

[@blumiu2426]

@@_Cloun That's the thing. Catholicism is comprised of pagan rites and practices. Just ask pagans. When Constantine converted, he never gave up Mithraism, sun worship. All those practices ended up part of the Roman Church and why the Sabbath ended up being on the holy day of the sun, Sunday. It only makes sense as the Jews nor Hebrew nation ever had the rites, attire and idol worship Catholicism does. How did a homeless Messiah and disciples he told to leave everything to follow him translate to the pomp and wealth Rome established? It doesn't. History is important to understand.